Volume XIV, Issue 49

December 8, 2014

Dark, utterly hopeless times.

Sound familiar? You may be thinking of a certain city, region, or an entire country. Perhaps this is something you've seen in the news or out your window...touching another's life or your own.

That was the world Jesus was born into. A world of intense persecution, ruled by selfish ambition, arrogance, pride, greed, envy, malice, and deceit. A world where people loved themselves more than God. This was true of those in power, as well as self-proclaimed leaders eagerly desiring it, who...

...pointed to God's will while clinging to their own. But Jesus relinquished His will in order to follow His Heavenly Father's.

...denounced all who opposed them and stirred the people's hatred. But Jesus cautioned against anger and judging others as worthless.

...promised they would take what was rightly theirs. But Jesus taught His people how to pray to their Heavenly Father who knew what they needed.

...stoked the fire of blind rage against their sworn enemies. But Jesus led His disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them.

...called their admirers to a path of fear, violence, and destruction. But Jesus said to follow Him, for He is the way, the truth, and the life.

...became the instruments of death and darkness. But Jesus commanded His own to be the light of the world.

Such was the world that Jesus knew. Is today any different? Are we quicker at judging others than seeking the truth? Do we praise violence rather than compassion? Have we held onto anger, shunning forgiveness? Do we feed our hatred instead of encouraging those who need God's love?

Is it possible we do not understand Christmas...after all?

Jesus did not come to judge, but to save. He walked in peace, grace, mercy, and love. He reached out to those who hated Him and treated them with dignity and respect---which they did not deserve. And in a world that preached "an eye for an eye", He said, Follow me, love one another, and treat others the same as you would want them to treat you.

Each of us were once fools---demanding, deceived, blinded by emotion and desire. We lived in malice and envy, hating and being hated. But Jesus saved us! As Paul warned, we must remember this, so that we who trust in God may be careful to devote ourselves to doing what is good (see Titus 3:8).

This Christmas Season and every day for the rest of your life, ask yourself: Who do I follow...a person, the crowd, my own desires...or do I follow Jesus, the Son of God?

Take care & be God's,

Chuck

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